Coastal flood watch begins tonight

Wednesday

Sep 19, 2007 at 12:01 AMSep 20, 2007 at 4:37 PM

HOUMA -- A coastal flood watch will take effect across southeast Louisiana, including Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, from 7 tonight continuing through Saturday evening as a Gulf storm moves west toward the area, the National Weather Service says.

A coastal flood watch means that conditions favorable for flooding are expected to develop. Coastal residents should be alert for later statements or warnings and take action to protect property, the Weather Service says.

Tides are currently running between one-half and 1 foot above normal along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain and the back shores of Grand Isle facing Barataria Bay due to a persistent northeasterly wind of 15-20 mph, the Weather Service says in a 3:45 p.m. advisory. Tides are expected to remain around 1 foot above normal in these areastonight and Friday morning.

High tides caused by normal conditions are expected to occur around sunrise both Friday and Saturday, with the tidal range about 1 1/2 feet.

Friday afternoon, an area of low pressure is expected to move toward southeast Louisiana and coastal Mississippi. As this low approaches the area, winds are expected to increase and turn more easterly and increase to between 20 and 25 mph.